Treasure Falls

Treasure Falls

Treasure Falls is a 105 foot waterfall just north of Pagosa Springs In Colorado. The falls are located in the San Juan National Forest just off the highway. The short hike and size of the falls make it a very popular destination that most people should be able to enjoy.

On a personal note, Treasure Falls is located in Mineral County of Colorado. Mineral County is the 30th county that I have hiked in my goal of hiking in every county in the state.

Getting Started

The hike to Treasure Falls starts in a smaller turnout off of US 160 just north of Pagosa Springs. The parking lot was really full when I got there and this is a popular place and I am sure it is busy most times. There are two trails that you can take. The main trail that takes you to the viewing platform and an offshoot that takes you to an overlook.

The Falls

The hike to the falls is very short. It winds through a series of switchbacks through a wooded area. The trail is wide and easy to follow along. While the trail is short, under a mile roundtrip, it does have nearly 200 feet of elevation gain. There are a couple of short stints that measure at a 13% grade so it can get a little steep but can be handled by most.

As you get closer to the falls you can hear them before you can see them. The wash and runoff of the falls trickle down through the wooded area and it is really nice. There is a wood bridge walkway as you get close to the falls that lead to an amazing view of the falls.

Treasure Falls is an impressive one hundred and five foot drop from the jagged cliffs above. The water falls in a narrow column that thins out as it bounces across the cliffside further down. The water collects in a small pool and then cascades down through some rocks before flowing under the bridge that provides the view.

I have seen a few waterfalls throughout Colorado and Treasure Falls is one of my favorite. It is a short hike and ends with an amazing waterfall. The drop of over 100 feet makes this special.

Distance and Elevation

If you don’t have the AllTrails app you might want to check it out, I really love mine. It records your progress and is a great way to search for hikes that are nearby and gives you difficulty measurements. According to AllTrails today’s hike was around 0.76 miles and had a total elevation gain of about 194 feet including undulations. That put the high point at around 8,315 feet. I was also moving for a total of 21 minutes.

I am a Pro member of Alltrails and love it. If you are interested in the platform, please consider using my affiliate link for AllTrails. It gives me a small commission with no extra cost to you.

Effort

While there is another more challenging trail, the main trail to get to Treasure Falls is pretty easy and most people shouldn’t have a problem. There is a bit of elevation gain that touches 13% but the trail is well maintained and very short. I am going to classify it as an easier hike only because it is so short. Make sure to take your time and enjoy the amazing views.

Terrain

The trail to Treasure Falls is well used and well maintained. It is wide enough for several people and is hard packed dirt. As you get closer to the falls you will run into some roots and rocks. The area near the falls has a wood bridge that provides great views of the water.

Access

Treasure Falls is located off US 160 about 17 miles north of Pagosa Springs. The parking area is on the east side of the road. There is room for about 15 cars at the trailhead. There was no restroom facilities available.

Wrapping Up Treasure Falls

Treasure Falls is simply incredible. The drop is one of the tallest in Colorado and flows in a narrow column. The long column thins out at the bottom of the cliff and you can see it bounce off the rock before collecting in a pool. The short walk also makes this enjoyable as many people who might not make it to harder falls will be able to enjoy Treasure Falls.

The only problem is how busy the hike gets. It would be nice to be able to enjoy the falls in more solitude but the beauty of the falls makes up for it. This is a must do hike if you are nearby.

I have added this hike and all of my hikes to my interactive map page that you can find here. If you have a suggestion or comment you can email me at fatmanlittletrails@gmail.com. Or follow me on any of the below social media platforms. Happy Hiking!

Gallery of Treasure Falls